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Best Tent Camping near Dale Hollow Lake

584 Reviews

Dale Hollow Lake offers several tent camping options across Kentucky and Tennessee, with varied settings and amenities. Holleman's Bend Camping Area provides free tent camping in a riverside setting, while Tuscarora Glade offers a more established primitive tent camping experience with fire rings and reservations required. These areas provide access to the lake while maintaining a rustic camping atmosphere.

Most tent sites around Dale Hollow Lake have minimal amenities, with few offering drinking water or electric hookups. Holleman's Bend features some sites directly along the water in what one reviewer described as a "peninsula" setting, as well as additional sites up a hill that provide more privacy. Campers should be prepared for limited cell service, with multiple reviews noting poor connectivity. A 14-day stay limit is enforced at some locations. Halcombs Landing and other recreation areas provide toilet facilities but limited other amenities for tent campers.

The tent camping experience varies significantly between locations around the lake. Tuscarora Glade stands out for stargazing opportunities, with one camper noting it has "a Dark Sky rating, meaning there is little to no light pollution." Sites like Holleman's Bend offer scenic water views and wildlife encounters, with campers reporting the sounds of fish splashing throughout the night. Most areas have parking nearby, though some primitive sites require short walks to reach the actual tent locations. Tent campers generally have better access to secluded spots than RV users, particularly at locations like Holleman's Bend where additional camping areas can be found past the main sites for those seeking more privacy.

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Best Tent Sites Near Dale Hollow Lake (26)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Dale Hollow Lake

6 Photos of 26 Dale Hollow Lake Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Dale Hollow Lake

584 Reviews of 26 Dale Hollow Lake Campgrounds

  • Shelly S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 20, 2017

    Down Yonder Campground

    Little pricey

    Down Yonder Campground is right outside Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park, Ky. A bit of a drive through Kentucky or Tennessee farmland, closest big city is Nashville to the west.

    The owner said that they have been open three years and their websites shows pictures of the rental cabin at the front of the property. Currently they have annual sites only , no shade on gravel. They are in the process of creating overnight sites that will be available by Labor Day 2017. No wifi, steep entry from road and no facilities, to me $40 a night sounded a little high.

    Consideing how many big rigs and trucks I saw at Dale Hollow it will probably be busy during peak seasons.

  • Shelly S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 20, 2017

    Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park

    Almost a 5 star

    Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park is right on the Kentucky/ Tennessee boarder and not a short drive from anywhere. It is out in the farmlands, but worth the drive.

    I drove to it from Cumberland Parkway, a very picturesque drive. The GPS took me right to the entrance no issues like there are with some other parks.

    Once there the main areas are very well marked. The camp store has a somewhat useful map that will get you there by road.

    My disappointment and frustration was the trails marked on the map. I'm not sure if some spurs are new, not used often or being reclaimed but we would start down a trail that had a trailhead sign and then the trail would just disappear into the weeds or a field with no signage.

    The trail to Eagle Point was well used and a good walk to an awesome view.

    The Campground is set up in what I call wagon train circles (lol) if your going with a large group it's perfect. People parked their toys and cars in the middle and set up in the sites around the hub.

    if your not with a group you will probably have an opportunity to met your neighbor. There is not a lot of shade. There is a pool on site and cute little blue cabins to rent. Newer restrooms and a dumpstation. Tge horse ampground was adjacent to the regular campground.

    The Marina and Lodge are at the end of the road and there was a golf course on the way in. Pretty much covers all the bases of outdoor entertainment.

  • Lori H.
    Aug. 4, 2019

    Pickett CCC Memorial State Park Campground

    Beautiful Night Sky, Quiet Camping

    Pickett State Park is a great spot to camp if you like peace and quiet, but don’t want to have to backpack in to a spot. Despite the small campground, it was pretty much empty on the first weekend in August when we stayed. It is near the Big South Fork, and Scott State Forest, so there’s lots of great hiking, horseback riding, river recreation, etc. nearby. From other reviews on The Dyrt, I learned the park is excellent for stargazing, and it is true, you will have amazing views at night, we slept in a tent without a rain fly, just so we could see the stars!

    The campground has several sites with electric and some without. We stayed in B1, which did not have electric. All the sites have picnic tables and fire rings, and the ones on the outside of the loops back up to the woods and trails. All the sites are spacious.

    The restrooms were clean, but they must be pretty old. There were some areas in need of tile repair, but it was just a cosmetic issue, so it didn’t bother me. The showers were nice, and everything was clean.

    The campground also has cabins, and those seemed to have more guests than the campground. They have a set of cabins that were connected, like apartments, and they have some larger, freestanding cabins too. They had a group site as well, but I did not go to it.

    The park has a lake with swimming area, and canoe/kayak/paddle board rentals, a swinging bridge, playground, tennis courts, a gigantic picnic area, and several great trails.

    This was a very pleasant find, and we will definitely return!

  • T
    Aug. 25, 2020

    Bandy Creek Campground — Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area

    Very Nice Campground

    We camped two nights last week in Loop A, the tent only, nonelectric section. Being mid-week, there were not many people, meaning it was also nice and quiet. The sites are roomy, with a large tent pad, fire ring, picnic table, lantern hook, and a food storage locker. Yes, this is bear country, but we didn't see any during our visit. The bath houses are as nice as you're likely to find in a national park, with flush toilets, hot showers, and an outside sink for dish washing, etc. There is also a large, wheelchair accessible bathroom with roll-in shower. A water hydrant is available to fill jugs and tanks.

    We drove through the other loops to see what they look like, because Loop A isn't open in winter. Should we decide to camp here in winter, Loop B is the only section open. But, that will let us use an electric heater. 

    Be aware that some things are not open in 2020 due to Covid-19. The park visitors centers are still closed, the swimming pool wasn't open mid-week, and the check-in building was unstaffed when we arrived. There was a sign at the check-in point telling us to reserve and pay for our site using Recreation.gov. We had cell service there, so no problem. It you don't have service, drive across the road to the Camp Store (which is not always open) to use WiFi there. There is a note on the front door with the password. 

    There are so many things to do in Big South Fork and surrounding areas that you really need to just visit the park website and make a list of things to do. Some are easy and roadside, others not so much. For example, to hike the Twin Arches Loop Trail, you'll drive several miles of dirt roads to reach the trailhead and end up hiking about 6 - 6.5 miles. The description says the loop is 4.6 miles, which is true, but you have to add another 1.4 miles for the out-and-back from the parking lot to the start of the loop. The loop trail isn't bad, but the access trail has steep stairs. Anyway, find something you like and enjoy the Cumberland Plateau.

  • Myron C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 25, 2019

    Edgar Evins State Park Campground

    A Campground with Lots to Do but with Interesting Tent Pads

    Edgar Evins State Park is a large park with lots of activities for young and old. However, if you want to stay in the campground, make sure to take a freestanding tent unless you have creative ways to keep your tent up. Most of the sites have wooden platforms, and the fire pits are beside the road. Perhaps most people like that sense of permanence, but I personally prefer solid ground or even gravel pads. Fortunately, the one I used was a free-standing tent. There is another option, and that is to stay in the primitive camping area. Of course, they are walk-in sites, but they are not far from where you park. I would normally choose the primitive camping area for a couple of reasons. There is a little more privacy, and you have soft ground on which to pitch your tent. Obviously, if you are an RV camper, staying in the primitive area does not apply. Unfortunately, it was better this time to choose a site that you don’t have to walk to. Out of all the state park campgrounds I have visited, the bath rooms in this state park are the best. They are modern with tiled floors, and the showers resemble ones you would find at privately owned campgrounds. There are several different activity options—volleyball, horseshoes, playgrounds, hiking trails, etc. There is also an aviary, a marina, a restaurant, and a couple of boat ramps. For the children, there is the“Storybook Trail.” For other overnight options, there are also cabins that you can rent. In retrospect, the primitive area would have been a better choice. It definitely would have been more quiet. No matter whether you stay in the primitive area or the regular camping area, you will encounter hilly terrain. The camp store is fully stocked with most of your camping needs, and there is also a laundry. Overall, Edgar Evins State Park was a good place to spend time, but again, I have my doubts about the wooden platforms.

  • Lori H.
    Aug. 28, 2019

    Bandy Creek Campground — Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area

    Ranger Review: GCI Freestyle Rocker Pro at Bandy Creek Campground

    Bandy Creek Campground is located in The Big South Fork National River and Recreation area on The Cumberland Plateau. Big South Fork is a great place for outdoor adventure. Some activities include hiking, horseback riding, rick climbing, tubing, kayaking, swimming, fishing, mountain biking, and just about anything else! The area is never overcrowded, even in the middle of summer. There are many scenic views throughout the area, so bring a camera!

    Campground review: Bandy Creek Campground is a great place! The sites are all spacious, and wooded for the most part, so you have plenty of space and some privacy. The campground seemed quite large, and was fairly empty for a Weekend in August. Some sites have food storage lockers (not sure if all do) as the area is a bear habitat. We saw some deer and turkeys, so there’s wildlife around for sure!

    There is tent loop, and a group camp area, and I believe the campground hosts several retreats.

    There’s riding stables at the camp store too. The campground also has a large swimming pool, with lifeguards.

    The restrooms were immaculate! Seriously the cleanest campground restrooms I believe I’ve seen. Ours had a filtered water bottle fill up fountain too.

    This campground is really nice, and quiet, but also has so much to do, I highly recommend it!

    Product Review: As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get to try out products sometimes, and today I’m trying out the GCI Freestyle Rocket Pro! https://www.gcioutdoor.com/camping-chairs/freestyle-rocker-pro/

    The Freestyle Rocker Pro is one of the best chairs I’ve used! It is actually much lighter than I expected, and is still extremely sturdy. Lightweight gear is a must when camping, or attending events!
    It has a carry handle so you don’t need to try to fit it in a case to have a strap like other chairs I’ve used. The Rocker was smooth on natural surface, pea gravel, and concrete. It is very comfortable, quiet, and relaxing. It folds up super easy with just a pull of the handle. One feature that I especially love is the cup holder and side pocket. It will actually hold a drink without spilling, and you can fit a phone, keys or other small items in the pocket. This chair is awesome! Two thumbs up!!

  • Shelly S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 24, 2019

    Edgar Evins State Park Campground

    Sorta like a treehouse

    Edgar Evins SP is unique in that the campground sites are decks, which is actually pretty cool. Now the one down side is that certain sites can be a challenge to back into. If you are a talented backer upper shouldn’t be an issue. However if your backing up could use some practice, and/or causes fights with your spouse you may want to call and ask the easier sites to set up in...just saying, less stress. The bottom sites are along the lake and you are across from the marina. Another thing is your cooking area is off the side of your deck with your picnic table. The primitive sites are walk in and have some pretty sweet views of the lake. Downside your walking up and down a slope with your gear. Speaking of slopes, the whole campground is on a slope so your pretty much either going up or down. Cool stairways to use and strategically placed facilities. The store and trash are located wheee you park for the primitive sites at the entrance. There’s a trail in the campground that gives you a quick route to the beach area.

Guide to Dale Hollow Lake

Dale Hollow Lake in Kentucky offers a fantastic backdrop for tent camping, with a variety of campgrounds that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for adventure and relaxation.

Tips for tent camping near Dale Hollow Lake

  • Tuscarora Glade provides a peaceful environment with ample space for tents and hammocks, making it a favorite among campers seeking tranquility.
  • Holleman's Bend Camping Area is a free option that allows for a more rustic experience, perfect for those wanting to immerse themselves in nature without the distractions of modern amenities.
  • Down Yonder Campground is conveniently located near Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park, offering a mix of scenic drives and camping experiences.

Tent campers should check out Halcombs Landing

  • Halcombs Landing features picturesque views and a pavilion area, ideal for enjoying a picnic while taking in the surrounding scenery.
  • Ryans Camp Ramp offers a practical setup for those focused on boating and fishing, with easy access to the water and a laid-back atmosphere.
  • Mitchell Creek - Primitive Site is perfect for those who want a more secluded experience, accessible by boat and surrounded by nature.

Local activities for tent campers

  • Stargazing at Tuscarora Glade is a must, as it boasts minimal light pollution, allowing for breathtaking views of the night sky.
  • Fishing enthusiasts will appreciate the opportunities at Halcombs Landing, where you can cast a line and enjoy the serene waters of Dale Hollow Lake.
  • Hiking and exploring the nearby trails can be easily accessed from Holleman's Bend Camping Area, providing a great way to experience the local flora and fauna.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Dale Hollow Lake?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Dale Hollow Lake is Tuscarora Glade with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Dale Hollow Lake?

TheDyrt.com has all 26 tent camping locations near Dale Hollow Lake, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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